Hello Public Health Laboratory Community!
You may have heard that ASTP released two final rules in December: HTI-2 and HTI-3.
The final HTI-2 and HTI-3 contain only a subset of the components that were in the proposed rule that was released in July for comment. The final rules do not contain the components that were relevant to public health data exchange; those sections are still under review.
We expect that ASTP will be releasing the components of the proposed HTI-2 in subsequent rules (HTI-3, HTI-4, etc.) over the next weeks and months. ASTP is still reviewing comments received on many sections of the HTI-2 draft, including APHL's comments. The final HTI-2 and HTI-3 rules represent the sections of the proposed rule that ASTP could finalize before the end of the year.
The HTI-2 final rule clarifies exceptions to information blocking; updates privacy and security requirements for IT certification; and updates the minimum qualifications that an entity must meet to qualify as a QHIN.
The HTI-3 final rule is focused on information blocking exceptions. It clarifies that how and when individuals can request that information not be shared. It also clarifies an exception for reproductive care.
APHL will continue to coordinate with ASTP and to monitor the Federal Register for informatics policy updates that affect the public health community.
Here are links to HTI-2 and HTI-3 in the Federal Register and ASTP's FAQ sheets:
HTI-2 Proposed Rule Overview (FAQ)
· HTI-3 Final Rule: Protecting Care Access (FAQ)
Federal Register :: Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability: Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) (HTI-2 Full Rule)
Federal Register :: Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability: Protecting Care Access (HTI-3 Full Rule)
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Melanie Kourbage
Association of Public Health Laboratories
Bethesda MD
(240) 485-2747
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Melanie Kourbage
Association of Public Health Laboratories
Bethesda MD
(240) 485-2747
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-18-2024 12:13 PM
From: Melanie Kourbage
Subject: HTI-2
Hello Public Health Community,
As many of you know, ONC released a proposed rule in July known as Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability (HTI-2): Patient Engagement, Information Sharing, and Public Health Interoperability. The new HTI-2 Proposed Rule includes new and revised standards and certification criteria in the ONC Health IT Certification Program. This rule will have an impact on public health data exchange and the IT systems that public health and our partners use. APHL's Informatics team worked with other program areas within APHL, with our member labs, and with partner NGOs like CSTE and JPHIT to review the proposed rule, assess its impact, and develop consensus recommendations. We wanted to provide you with a link to link to a summary of HIT-2, as well as copy of the detailed feedback that APHL submitted on every aspect of the proposed rule.
HTI-2 Proposed Rule APHL Feedback Summary - Policy Engagement - Confluence. Note that this is the same link that was shared during APHL's ELR Open Call on 11/14/24.
Thank you to all the APHL members and partners who contributed their thoughts, concerns, and expertise while we reviewed the proposed rule and developed the organization's comments. If you'd like to get involved in APHL's informatics policy work, please reach out to me.
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Melanie Kourbage
Association of Public Health Laboratories
Bethesda MD
(240) 485-2747
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